Bowdoin College vs. Colgate

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Colgate University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or Colgate is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowdoin College vs. Colgate University comparison
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Bowdoin College Colgate University
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Overview

Bowdoin College Colgate
Location Brunswick, ME Hamilton, NY
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,915 3,141
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25 #27
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu colgate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Colgate
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $63,904
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $63,904
Room & Board $16,772 $16,106
Avg Net Price $22,776 $27,074
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $54,647
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 41%

Admission

Bowdoin College Colgate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 21,109
Admitted 862 2,624
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 12.4%
Enrolled % 58.9% 30.9%
Avg High School GPA - 3.77
Typical High School Grades - A-
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme Very High
ACT Range 33/35 32/34
SAT Range 1460/1560 1410/1530
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Bowdoin College Colgate
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Colgate
Graduation Rate 92% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $75,300
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $16,125
Median Loan Payment $194 $166

Diversity

Bowdoin College Colgate
% Men 48% 44%
% Women 52% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 67%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 9%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

Bowdoin College Colgate
% In-State 9% 19%
% Out-of-State 83% 71%

Campus

Bowdoin College Colgate
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Colgate University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,141 students vs. 1,915 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Colgate?

  • Colgate University is 4.8% more expensive to attend than Bowdoin College for in-state tuition ($63,904.00 vs. $60,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.8% higher at Colgate than Bowdoin College ($63,904.00 vs. $60,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Colgate ($22,776 vs. $27,074)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4.1% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($16,106 vs. $16,772)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bowdoin College than Colgate University (52% vs. 41%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 2.1% larger than aid received Bowdoin College ($54,647 vs. $53,534)

Bowdoin College vs. Colgate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Colgate? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Colgate or Bowdoin College .

  • Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (12.4%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Colgate? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Colgate and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is the same as at Colgate University (92% vs. 92%)
  • Graduates from Colgate University earn on average $300 more per year than Bowdoin College graduates after ten years. ($75,300 vs. $75,000)
  • Colgate University students graduate with a $2,708 lower median federal student loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates. ($16,125 vs. $18,833)
  • Colgate graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Bowdoin College graduates. ($166 vs. $194)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/